Sabbatical officers (or "sabbs") are normally elected annually, for a one-year term, i.e. a "sabbatical year". Some students' unions allow their sabbatical officers stand for re-election for a second year. Terms of more than two years are not permitted in the United Kingdom, under the Education Act 1994. Typically, the primary requirement for candidacy (and election) is that a candidate be a member of the body of the relevant association at the time of their candidacy.

Sabbatical years are either taken in between years of study (for example between year two and three of a typical degree, sitting the third year twelve months later than would have normally been the case) or else immediately after graduation. They are almost always paid positions, with funds coming from the students' union itself, or directly from the educational institution. The officer generally retains student status during their time in office.

A university students' union may have one or more sabbatical officers, with as many as eight being not unheard-of. Each generally has a specific job description and title, such as Student Union President, Education Officer, Services Officer, Welfare Officer, or Sports President. Together they form part or all of the "executive" or "executive committee" or equivalent of their organization. They are generally supported by unpaid part time officers (non-sabbatical officers, or non-sabbs) who fulfil their roles while continuing their studies. In some cases, some sabbaticals work for separate bodies within a larger students' association at their institution; for example a sabbatical president of an athletics union and others for the main students' union.

Some Further Education colleges also have small numbers of sabbatical officers but these are rare, partly due to funding restrictions. Often the executive members of the students' association of these bodies will do the job whilst still studying.